Convertible chair bed



April 25, 1939. c. HOEHL CONVERTIBLE CHAIR BED Filed April 12, 1938 BY J ATTO RNEYS Patented Apr. 25, 1939 PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE CHAIR BED Charles Hoehl,

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application April 12, 1938, Serial No. 201,476

10 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in a chair designed to be converted into a bed.

The main object of the invention is to provide a chair which may be converted into a bed by swinging the hinged back downwardly to a substantially horizontal position, a bed-extension portion being connected by suitable mechanism to the back so that the downward swinging movement of the back will project the bed extension forward beyond the chair seat and the upward swinging movement of the back to normal upright position will draw the bed extension back and within the dimensions of the chair proper.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the bed extension operating means that it will hold the bed extension below the bottom of the chair seat when the back is in its normal upright or substantially upright position and will also serve to lock the bed extension projected beyond the limits of the chair proper when the back is swung down to horizontal or substantially horizontal position to form the bed.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the chair in normal position, the side plate of the frame of the chair being removed to expose the operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts extended to form a bed and parts of the chair frame being broken away to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 3 a transverse vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 a detail transverse section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

The chair proper may be of any suitable construction. As shown it comprises the front legs l, the rear legs 2 and the arms 3. The lower portion of the rear legs 2 are connected together by a back piece 4. The front and. rear legs are connected together by a rigid metal seat frame 5. This frame is preferably an open frame carrying transversely extending springs 6 to form a spring seat for the chair proper.

The inner sides of the chair are formed by plates I which extend from the inner sides of the arms down to the upper surface of the seat frame 5. The outer sides of the chair are formed by plates 8 which are connected to the outer sides of the arms and to the chair legs. The plates 1 and 8 together with the arm rests 3 form vertical compartments directly below the chair arms in which compartments is arranged the operating mechanism. The plates 8 are preferably so mounted that they may be readily removed to give access to the operating mechanism. The back 9 is hinged at 10 to the upper edge of the back piece 4 and may be swung rearwardly and downwardly to a substantially horizontal position.

Directly under the seat frame 5 is arranged a bed extension section II. This bed extension comprises a rectangular open frame of the proper dimensions to fit under the seat frame of the chair proper and to slide inwardly and outwardly between the front legs of the chair. This frame is mounted on rollers l2 so that the bed extension may be easily rolled outwardly from under the chair bottom and rolled back into folded position.

Operating arms I 3 are rigidly secured to the sides of the back at the lower end thereof and extend downwardly and forwardly beyond the rear legs and into the compartments which are formed by the plates 1 and 8 below the arms 3. A bracket I4 depends from the under side of each arm approximately midway between the front and rear legs. A lever I5 is pivoted at its upper end, as at I6 to the lower end of each bracket [4 and each of said levers carries a forwardly projecting arm I! located close to the pivot point l6 of the lever l5. A link [8 is pivotally connected to the forward end of each of the arms l1, its other end being pivotally connected to the lower end of the adjacent arm l3 of the back.

The lower ends of the levers l5 are connected together transversely of the chair by a rod l9. Mounted on the rear side of the bed extension frame are two vertical loops 20 through which the rod l9 extends as shown clearly in Fig. 4. A spring 2| is connected at its forward ends to each arm I! at the pivotal point between said arm and the link IS. The rear end of each spring is connected to the forward side of the adjacent rear leg at a point close to the under side of the arm 3 and above the pivotal point I6 between the bracket l4 and the lever I5. A stop 22 depends from the under side of each arm 3 to arrest the upward swinging movement of the arms l3 when the back is swung down to substantially horizontal position. The stops are to be engaged by the arms [3 and said stops and arms are of sufficient strength to withstand any downward strain placed on the back when in reclining position, that is to say when the chair has been converted into a bed.

The main chair bottom frame 5 is formed along its side edges with inwardly turned horizontal flanges 23 to form open guideways to receive the outwardly projecting longitudinally extending guide flanges 24 carried by the bed exten sion frame These guide flanges are in the form of flat plates secured to the upper surface of the frame I I and extend outwardly a sufficient distance to fit within the guideways formed by the inturned flanges 23. The side bars of the frame II are cut out to receive the flanges 23, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. Extending transversely of the frame II and connected to the inner edges of the flanges 24 are springs 25 which form the spring supports for the mattress or cushion of the bed extension. 7

A cushion formed of two parts 26 and 21' is arranged in the chair I when the chair is in normal upright position. This cushion rests on the spring 6, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 1. When the chair is converted into a bed the upper section of the cushion is swung outwardly and forwardly to-rest on the springs 25 of the bed extension frame. The two portions of the cushion are connected together by suitable fabric connection as illustrated at 28 to form a hinge connection, and the rear upper edge of the section 26 of the cushion is connected by suitable flexible means, such as a strip of fabric as indicated at 29, to the lower end of the back. These connections 29 and 28 are for the purpose of forming a continuous fabric connection from the back to the section 21 of the cushion when the chair is extended into bed-form.

The chair is converted into bed-form by swinging the back downwardly to substantially horizontal position as indicated in Fig. 2. The arms I3 move the links |8 upwardly and cause the levers l5 to swing forwardly on their pivots Hi. The forward swinging movements of the levers l5 projects the bed-extension frame forward between the front legs of the chair. The forward swinging movement of the levers |5 extend the springs 2| and carry the point of connection between the forward ends of the springs 2| and the lever arms above the pivotal point l6 as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. In this position; of the parts the arms |3 are in contact with the stops 2.2 and the springs 2| are above the pivotal point l6 between the brackets 4 and the levers IS; The springs 2| are considerably ex-' tended and exert a strong pull on the levers I5 and being above the pivot point Hi this spring tension serves to hold the levers IS in their forward position. This prevents the bed exten sion section being accidentally moved inwardly under the chair bottom. The spring tension also serves to hold the back in its lowered position and prevents it being accidentally moved upwardly.

To re-convert the bed into chair form it is only necessary to exert suflicient upward pressure on the back to slightly extend the springs 2| and swing them down below the pivot point Hi. When the forward ends of the springs have been swung below the pivot point I 6 the spring tension serves to assist in swinging the back up to normal chair position and to hold it there and prevent accidental swinging down to bed position.

All' of the operating mechanism is concealed within the compartments formed by the arms and the enclosing plates 1 and 8 so that the chair proper may be given a pleasing appearance, with no projecting and disfiguring'metal parts. The chair is converted into a bed by the simple operation of swinging the back rearwardly and downwardly and is reconverted into chair form by the simple operation of swinging the back upwardly 24 serve to hold the bed extension frame to the chair when said frame is under thechair seat, so that the chair and said frame may be moved about as a unit. The transverse rod |9 passes through the loops 20 and the levers l5 serve to hold the bed extension frame in: its retracted position under the chair seat, said rod preventing accidental movement of the bed extension frame forward. When the chair back is in its normal upright position the rod 59 is at the top of the loops 20 and the springs 2| tend to swing the rodupwardly. This effectively locks the bed extension frame in its inner retracted position and also serves as a means for limiting the upward swinging movement of the chair back.

What I claim is:

1. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a chair seat, a hinged back adapted to swing downwardly and. rearwardly from normal upright position, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, means connecting the chair back to the bed extension frame to project the bed extension frame forwardly beyond the chair seat by the downward swinging movement of the chair back, and spring means connected .to the chair frame and to the said means for projecting the bed. extension frame forward, said spring means serving to hold theback and the bed extension frame in their normal chair-forming positions, andalso serving to hold. the back and the bed extension frame extended in their bedforming positions.

2. A convertible chair comprising achair frame, a chair seat, a hinged back adapted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever mechanism connecting the chair back to the bed extension frame to project the bed extension frame forwardly beyond the chair seat by the downward swinging. movement of the chair back, and spring means connected to the chair frame and to the said lever mechanism, said spring means serving to hold the back and the bed extension frame in their normal chair-forming positions, and also serving to hold the back and the bed extension frame extended in their bed-forming positions.

3. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a seat, a hinged back adapted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chair frame and operatively connected at its lower end to the bed extension frame, means connecting said lever to the chair back to swing the end of said lever forwardly when the chair back is swung downwardly and to swing said lever rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, and spring means connected at one end to a rear part of the chair frame its other end being connected to said lever said spring means serving to hold the chair back and the bed extension frame in their normal chair-forming positions and also serving to hold the back and the bed "extension frame extended in their bed-forming positions.

4. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame,"

a seat, a back mounted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a' bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chairframe between the forward and rear legs of the chair and operatively connected at its lower end lever rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, a spring connected at one end to a rear part of the chair frame its other end being connected to the forward end of said lever arm, the forwardly projecting lever arm being so proportioned and arranged that the point of spring connection thereto will be below the pivot of the lever when'the chair back is in its normal upright position and will be above the pivotal point of the lever when the chair back is swung rearwardly and downwardly to its bedforming position.

5. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a seat, a back mounted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chair frame between the forward and rear legs of the chair and operatively connected at its lower end to the bed extension frame, a forwardly extending arm carried by said lever near its upper end and below its pivot, means operatively connecting the lower end of said lever to the bed extension frame, a link connecting the forward end of said lever arm to the chair back to swing the lower end of said lever forwardly when the chair back is swung downwardly and to swing said lever rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, and a spring connected at one end to a rear part of the chair frame above the horizontal plane of the pivot of the lever, its other end being connected to the forward end of said lever arm, the forwardly projecting lever arm being so proportioned and arranged that the point of spring connection thereto will be below the pivot of the lever when the chair back is in its normal upright position and will be above the pivotal point of the lever when the chair back is swung rearwardly and downwardly to its bedforming position.

6. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a seat, a back mounted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chair frame between the forward and rear legs of the chair and operatively connected at its lower end to the bed extension frame, a fowardly extending arm carried by said lever near its upper end and below its pivot, means operatively connecting the lower end of said lever to the bed extension frame, a downwardly extending arm carried by the chair back, a link connecting the forward end of said lever arm to the lower end of said downwardly extending arm carried by the chair back to swing the lower end of said lever forwardly when the chair back is swung downwardly and to swing said lever rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, and a spring connected at one end to a rear part of the chair frame above the horizontal plane of the pivot of the lever, its other end being connected to the forward end of said lever arm, the forwardly projecting lever arm being so proportioned and arranged that the point of spring connection thereto will be below the position and will be above the pivotal point of the lever when the chair back is swung rearwardly and downwardly to its bedforming position, and a stop adapted to be enaged by the chair back arm to limit the downward movement of the back.

'7. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a chair seat, a hinge back adapted toswing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a substantially horizontal arm on each side of the chair frame, side plates extending down-' wardly from each arm to form a compartment below each arm, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever mechanism in each of said compartments and connecting the chair back to the bed extension frame to project'the bed extension frame forwardly beyond the chair seat by the downward movement of the chair back, and spring means in each of said compartments connected to the chair frame and to the said lever mechanism, said spring means serving to hold the back and the bed extension frame in their normal chair-forming positions and also serving to hold the back and the said extension frame extended in their bed-forming positions.

8. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a chair seat, a hinge back adapted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position, a substantially horizontal arm on each side of the chair frame, side plates extending downwardly from each arm to form a compartment below each arm, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, a lever mechanism in each of said compartments, interengaged horizontal guides and guideways carried by the chair frame and the bed extension frame, loops carried by the bed extension frame at the rear side thereof, a transverse rod extending through said loops and connecting together the lever mechanism in the said two compartments, and spring means in each of said compartments and connected to the chair frame and to the said lever mechanism, said spring means serving to hold the back and the bed extension frame in their normal chair-forming positions, and also serving to hold the back and the bed extension frame in their bed-forming positions.

9. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a chair seat rigidly secured within the chair frame, a back hinged to the chair frame and adaptedto swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position and provided with downwardly and forwardly extending side arms extending below the hinge, a substantially horizontal arm on each side of the chair frame, side plates extending downwardly from each arm to form a compartment below each arm, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, interengaged horizontal guides and guideways carried by the chair frame and the bed extension frame to hold the bed extension frame to the chair frame against vertical displacement with respect to the chair frame directly under the seat when the back is in normal upright position, loops carried by the bed extension frame at the rear side thereof, a lever mechanism in each of said compartments, each of said mechanisms comprising a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chair frame between the forward and rear legs of the chair, a forwardly extending arm carried by each of said levers near its upper end, a link connected to the forward end of the arm of each of said 1evers and to the lower end of the associated side arm of the chair back below its hinge to swing the lower ends of said levers forwardly when the chair back is swung rearwardly and downwardly and to swing said levers rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, and a transverse rod extending through said loops of the said extension frame and connecting together the lower ends of said levers, the lever mechanism locking the bed extension frame under the chair seat against forward movement from under the seat when the back is in its normal upright position.

10. A convertible chair comprising a chair frame, a chair seat rigidly secured within the chair frame, a back hinged to the chair frame and adapted to swing downwardly and rearwardly from normal upright position and provided with downwardly and forwardly extending side arms extending below the hinge, a substantially horizontal arm on each side of the chair frame, side plates extending downwardly from each arm to form a compartment below each arm, a bed extension frame normally under the chair seat, interengaged horizontal guides and guideways carried by the chair frame and the bed extension frame to hold the bed extension frame to the chair frame against vertical displacement with respect to the chair frame directly under the seat when the back is in normal upright position, a lever mechanism in each of said compartments, each of said mechanisms comprising a lever pivoted at its upper end to the chair frame between the forward and rear legs of the chair, a forwardly extendingarm carried by each of said levers near its upp r end, a link connected to the forward end of the arm of each of said levers and to the lower end of the associated side arm of the chair back below its hinge to swing the lower ends of said levers forwardly when the chair back is swung rearwardly and downwardly and to swing said levers rearwardly when the back is moved upwardly to normal position, and means flexibly connecting the lower ends of the said levers to the rear end of the said extension frame, the lever mechanism locking the bed extension frame under the chair seat against forward movement from under the seat when the back is in its normal upright position.

CHARLES HOEHL. 

